Spring and Summer Outdoor Escapes in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley

Relax, recharge, and reconnect with nature across the outdoor spaces of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley.

Outdoor Activities

Planning a Summer Escape in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley

July 23, 2025

At the center of Minnesota, Westopolis brings together relaxation, recreation, and natural scenery for outdoor enthusiasts. The community of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley is filled with parks, green spaces, and preserved landscapes suited to a wide range of summer outings. Visitors can hike, picnic, bike, or simply slow down in nature while exploring the area’s many inviting destinations.

This guide features standout parks and natural areas in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley—places to rest, restore your energy, and enjoy time outdoors.

Outdoor Adventures for Everyone

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park welcomes families and people who enjoy observing wildlife. Its 160-acre landscape contains marshes, wooded hills, and restored prairies. Inside the Interpretive Center, live animal exhibits and interactive displays introduce visitors to the area, while three miles of scenic trails create opportunities for birdwatching and photography.

In winter, guests can rent snowshoes or give Norwegian kicksledding a try. Fishing on the lake is available during warmer months. Outdoor classrooms and event spaces for weddings or conferences are also offered at the Nature Center.

Bass Lake Preserve

Bass Lake Preserve provides a quiet nature retreat. The 52-acre preserve is home to the George Haun Trail, a scenic 1.4-mile loop passing through oak savannahs and prairie land. Tennis and pickleball courts can be rented from April through October.

Next to the preserve, Bass Lake Park gives families another place to spend time outside. Children can use the interactive Biba Smart Playground to play games through a free app, while adults relax near the picnic shelter. When winter arrives, the park becomes an ice rink for skating.

Minnehaha Creek Preserve

Minnehaha Creek Preserve is the centerpiece of the Minnehaha Creek Greenway’s 1.5-mile section through St. Louis Park. It belongs to a broader system that is 22 miles long. Restoration work has enhanced wildlife habitat, renewed wetlands, and introduced additional routes, including more than a mile of ADA-accessible boardwalk.

Creekside Park provides a kayak and canoe launch, picnic spaces, and plenty of free parking. Paddlers may encounter wood ducks, herons, turtles, and deer along the water. Be sure to plan your paddling trip well before you go!

Brookview Park

As the largest park in Golden Valley, Brookview Park offers activities for people of every age. The 33-acre park includes several playgrounds, broad walkways, and courts for games. Basketball, volleyball, and lit tennis courts appeal to sports fans, while large and small pavilions can be rented for group gatherings. During summer, Concerts in the Park take place every Monday evening.

General Mills Nature Preserve

Within St. Louis Park, the General Mills Nature Preserve offers 27 acres of peaceful scenery. A half-mile interpretive trail includes signs describing the preserve’s history and ecosystem, supporting a self-guided visit. The property began as part of a conservation effort and now stands as a reminder of community care and environmental restoration.

Theodore Wirth Regional Park

Golden Valley’s expansive 759-acre Theodore Wirth Regional Park offers an extensive selection of outdoor pursuits. Its amenities range from miles of mountain biking trails to golf courses. The Trailhead functions as a center for seasonal equipment rentals and includes Mill Valley Market, an inviting eatery.

Floating boardwalks lead visitors through the wetland setting of Quaking Bog. Those looking for a beach-like outing can visit Wirth Lake Beach, where picnic areas and a sand volleyball court are available.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary is the oldest public wildflower garden in the United States. Situated inside Theodore Wirth Regional Park, it brings together woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats for an immersive nature experience. More than a mile of winding trails passes through the garden, which welcomes nearly 60,000 visitors annually.

The Martha Crone Visitor Shelter contains educational displays focused on the area’s rich biodiversity.

Picnic-Perfect Parks for Family Fun

Louisiana Oaks Park

Louisiana Oaks Park suits larger groups as well as visitors who enjoy sports. Soccer and baseball fields sit alongside paved trails, and the rentable building has contemporary features including free WiFi. These amenities make the park adaptable for special occasions.

Lilac Park

Lilac Park brings together local history and outdoor scenery. Along the historic Lilac Way, the park is recognized for its distinctive beehive-shaped fireplace made from local limestone. Paved trails and picnic areas sit among lilacs that bloom in spring, creating a pleasant setting for an unhurried outing.

Oak Hill Park

Oak Hill Park is a popular summer destination with something for visitors of all ages. Children can cool off at the Splash Pad, while softball and basketball facilities serve sports enthusiasts. Picnic shelters and a WiFi-enabled facility support gatherings such as birthdays and reunions.

Unique Outdoor Experiences

Schaper Park

Schaper Park in Golden Valley offers a more challenging kind of outdoor recreation. It features Minnesota’s first outdoor fitness challenge course designed for teens and adults. Walls, ramps, and a 40-yard dash with timing technology add variety and competition to the obstacle course. An inclusive playground welcomes visitors of all abilities.

Bikers and hikers can also reach the Luce Line Regional Trail from a nearby entrance.

Wolfe Park

Wolfe Park is a St. Louis Park community favorite for events and restful afternoons. Families can visit its interactive Biba Smart Playground, and the Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater presents live music during summer. A fishing pond and picnic shelters make the park suitable for everything from casual visits to weddings.

The park also includes pickleball courts that are always in use, along with a sand volleyball court.

Plan Your Westopolis Escape

Westopolis offers a refreshing way to step away from daily demands and enjoy the natural beauty around St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. The community’s outdoor destinations provide settings for quiet time beside a shimmering lake, energizing hikes along green trails, and cheerful gatherings in scenic surroundings. Whether you prefer contemplation, activity, or time with others, a park or preserve is ready to match the occasion.

These outdoor spaces are also places to spend meaningful time with family and friends. Take a relaxed walk, enjoy a bike ride, or organize an afternoon of outdoor games while sharing laughter, stories, and time together in a beautiful natural environment.